Can polishing effect the value of your car?
Quick answer: Yes — polishing can increase a car’s value by making it look newer and better cared for, helping it sell faster and for more money. In the UK, detailing/polish often adds ~5–10% (sometimes more on premium cars). Results depend on paint condition; severe damage may need repair first, and presentation overall still matters.
Polishing will greatly affect the value of your car. Much of a car's value is its cosmetic appearance. A shiny car is more desirable than a dull, scratched car. It also signals that the car has been well cared for and well maintained over its lifetime. It will sell faster and command a higher price, which is why car dealers pay to have cars detailed and polished before putting them on sale.
So how much extra value are we talking?
It depends on your car’s age, condition and segment. According to UK sources suggest that detailing and polish can increase value by 5-10%, maybe more in luxury or premium models. We suggest looking on a car valuation website and comparing your car's value in average to very clean condition. There's an extra advantage, which is that people are looking to buy good condition cars! The only people looking to buy one in average condition are those looking to do them up themselves, and they will most likely be looking in the auctions. So a good condition car will sell much faster than one in average or poor condition. So if you need a quick sale, get it cleaned up and sparkling.
Are there cases where polishing doesn’t help much?
Yes. If the paint is badly damaged (deep scratches or defects), or the buyer is a dealer who expects to recondition before resale, you might not see much return. But any detailer worth their salt will not let you waste money trying to polish a car that won't benefit.
How do I make sure polishing works in my favour?
Put a coating on it such as sealant or wax to bring out the shine (We wouldn't recommend a ceramic coating if you are going to sell - put it on your new vehicle instead). Fix small visible blemishes (scratches, scuffed wheels) before selling. Present it well: clean interior, tyres, glass etc. A polished body won’t help if other things look neglected.
A top tip is to clean the glass well. You can make even a dirty car look so much better just by cleaning the glass and wheels. We'd also recommend giving the interior a spritz of Febreze. It makes sense to make your car smell nice, but air fresheners tend to smell like fresheners - but Febreze smells like fresh laundry.
Is it worth polishing if I’m keeping the car for a long time rather than selling soon?
Absolutely, this makes even more sense. It makes daily ownership more enjoyable (you’ll feel proud every time you drive), protects the paint, and preserves value for whenever you do decide to sell. Even if you’re not selling immediately, the investment pays off over time in care costs saved and better resale.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 22/09/2025 14:30